Religion In The Netherlands

10.1163/ej.9789004187900.i-488.132

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Chapter Summary

This chapter provides an overview of the religious situation in the Netherlands-or Holland as most people call it. It presents a short historical overview from the mid-19th century onwards, and then gives some detailed statistical information on the current situation. A modern history of religion in the Netherlands should start with 'pillarization'. Pillarization means that religious organizations establish themselves in modern society through a variety of social organizations. The chapter focuses on Christian religious praxis, the religiosity of the Dutch in general, and the situation of world religions. It explains the relationship between state and religious institutions. This is followed by a discussion on future of religion in the Netherlands. From a society dominated by religion and religious institutions, indeed a pious country that nobody expected to change, Holland was transformed into an overwhelmingly secular country, with waning religious institutions, and in recent years even hostility towards some religious expressions.